Operations
On April 14 unbranded AWC Class 805 No. 805001 ran ECS (Empty Coaching Stock) from Oxley, Wolverhampton as the 5Q80/21.17 to Carlisle and back overnight. On Friday, April 15 the Class 805 unit called briefly at Platform 3 at Lancaster at 23.08 before continuing northwards. In daylight on Monday, April 17, No. 805001 ran ECS on the 5Q87/08.07 from Oxley to Carlisle and back as 5Q88/10.51. On both occasions, when seen passing Lancaster, No. 805001 had a raised pantograph. Just over a week later on Tuesday, April 25, it ran from Oxley, Wolverhampton as the 5Q90/18.43 to Glasgow Central and returned overnight as 5Q91/23.12.
A Milton Keynes to Lancaster service was diagrammed through Bolton and Chorley on Sunday, April 30, formed of Class 390 No. 390128.
The operational Class 91s continue to attract much attention from enthusiasts. A visit to King’s Cross on Saturday, April 1, found No. 91110 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, in Lest We Forget livery, at the head of the 1N87/15.06 departure to York. No. 91110’s celebrity livery most definitely did not match the colours of the LNER InterCity train. DVT No. 82212 was noted at the rear of the train. A little later, the 1A30/12.45 from Leeds, was noted arriving with DVT No. 82223 at the front and Class 91 No. 91127 at the rear. The formation was then seen leaving as empty stock train 5Y30 to Ferme Park. The 1D19/15.03 departure to Leeds, diagrammed to be worked by a Class 91, was cancelled. According to Realtime Trains ‘This service was cancelled due to a problem at the depot.’ A visit to Leeds to sample Class 91 haulage on April 19 found No. 91114 on the 11.15 to King’s Cross and No. 91101 on the 13.15. The 10.03 King’s Cross to Leeds had No. 91109, but its return at 12.45 was cancelled because of a fault on the train. Passengers were directed to the 13.15 departure.
On Friday, April 21, the message ‘Significant delays are being experienced on the East Coast Main Line due to a police incident’ was repeated many times during a visit to King’s Cross station. The Realtime Trains website gave a blunter reason for the train cancellations, which were ‘due to a person hit by a train’. The 1A26/11.15 from Leeds due at 13.29, was noted arriving 30 minutes late into platform 0, with DVT No. 82208 at the front and Class 91 No. 91127 at the rear. The same set was then seen forming the 1D17/14.03 departure to Leeds, which left more than 20 minutes late. The 11.45 from Leeds was noted arriving into platform 7 about 10 minutes late, headed by DVT No. 82223 with No. 91101 Flying Scotsman at the rear.
From May 6 the 1S13/11.00 from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh, is named ‘The Carolean Express’ to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, although it is unlikely to be formed of anything other than a standard Azuma. Class 769 No. 769949 and two other, unidentified, members of the same class were noted, from a passing train, in the sidings at Reading Traincare Depot on Saturday, April 29. More of the Class 379 units have departed from Ilford and Harwich Parkeston Quay (PQ) yard for further storage at Worksop. Firstly, Nos. 379016+ 379002 were moved from Ilford to Worksop by Class 37 No. 37608 on April 19. On April 24, Rail Operations Group (ROG) Class 37 No. 37884 took Nos. 379003+379014 from Ilford to Worksop. In preparation for their move north, on April 25 Nos. 379028+379018 ran from Harwich to Ilford. The next move from Ilford followed on April 28 when Class 37 No. 37608 conveyed Nos. 379023+379021 north to Worksop. No. 37611 was used on May 2 to move Nos. 379012+379024 while Nos. 379011+379001 followed on May 4 also hauled by Class 37 No. 37611, while on the following day Nos. 379006+379025 ran from Harwich PQ to Ilford. No. 37611 was in use again on May 9 to take Nos. 379018+379028 to Worksop. Three days later the same Class 37 took Nos. 379008+379022 to Worksop, followed by Nos. 379013+379015 on May 15. This left just six of the class at Ilford Nos. 379006/07/10/17/25/26 to be moved.
Class 720s are the traction mainly used on the Harwich branch since withdrawal of the Class 321s, with the following noted at Harwich International: 720117 (April 13); 720518 (April 14); 720118 (April 18); 720507 (April 19-21); 720111 (April 26); 720570 (April 28); 720550 (May 2); 720508 (May 3); and 720118 (May 4). It was interesting that on Saturday, April 15 Stadler Class 755/4 No. 755422 was handed the task.
Saturday, April 29 saw Greater Anglia Charity 321 Farewell Tour work from Liverpool Street to Stowmarket, taking in all the various branches that the Class frequented and was noted arriving at Harwich Town with Nos. 321314+321307. Movements reported of Class 318 units between Yoker and Brodies, Kilmarnock, included No. 318261 being moved back to Yoker behind Class 37 No. 37800 on April 26. Next, No. 318255 was returned to Yoker by No. 37884 on May 10 before its place was taken at Kilmarnock by No. 318256 on the same day. With CrossCountry High Speed Trains expected to be withdrawn during the year it makes sense to make as many journeys as possible with them now. Consequently, on Friday, April 14 a correspondent made a journey between Derby and Sheffield on the 1S51/12.27 from Plymouth to Edinburgh, headed by No. 43321 with 43378 at the rear of the train. CrossCountry trains normally do not serve Didcot Parkway, instead taking the avoiding line. With the problems with Nuneham Viaduct closed for essential repairs, passengers were transferring between trains and bus substitutes at Didcot Parkway. On Saturday, April 29, in addition to the service changes because of Nuneham Viaduct, the South Western Main Line was closed between Basingstoke and Winchester, meaning CrossCountry services to and from Bournemouth ran via Guildford. To sample these unusual routings a journey was made by a correspondent from Didcot Parkway to Guildford on the 1O16/14.25 from Didcot Parkway to Bournemouth formed of Voyager No. 220009.
From Didcot the train ran on to the relief line before stopping by platform 15 at Reading. Leaving Reading the train took the up relief then ran below the Great Western Main Line on the Reading Low Level line in the dive-under before joining the line towards Wokingham and Guildford. Not all CrossCountry trains were using the dive-under at Reading and to sample one of these a journey was then made between Reading and Guildford on the 1O20/16.26 from Didcot Parkway to Bournemouth, formed of Voyager No. 220005. This stopped at platform 7 at Reading and left on the down main before taking the spur line to join the line towards Wokingham and Guildford. An interesting observation by a correspondent on May 10 passing Chandler’s Ford station at 09.38, was a Cross Country Voyager. These trains are not routinely routed this way and was travelling at speed so unable to see the number. A subsequent look at Realtime Time trains did not show anything at Chandler’s Ford, other than the usual service trains. However, a look at Eastleigh showed the 07.25 from Didcot to Bournemouth, formed of Voyager No. 220032, using the usual route to Basingstoke but then no report after Worting Junction until Eastleigh East Junction at 09.41, running 68 minutes late.
Clearly it had been diverted and lost time as a result. The log on Realtime Trains shows the train as terminating at Southampton Central and not proceeding to Bournemouth due to track problems. Further looking shows the unit as leaving Southampton Central heading north at 10.16 with no report between Eastleigh and Worting Junction, where it was 29 min late.
It also shows several SW trains from Waterloo for places beyond Winchester cancelled to Winchester and starting there, although further looking indicates other trains running to Woking and then no report until St Denys, so presumably diverted. The Sunday only 2C54-2C56 diagram Barrow in FurnessMillom-Barrow was worked by 195120 on May 7. This is the only scheduled working of a Class 195 north of Barrow on the Cumbrian Coast. Others observed on the working have been Nos. 195112/17/18/30.
The 09.35 Manchester Piccadilly to Scarborough on April 19 was propelled by Class 68
No. 68025 Superb. On the same day the 13.03 Hull to Liverpool Lime Street, formed of Class
185 No. 185125 was terminated at Manchester Victoria as there was no driver to take it forward.
The assorted Class 180 vehicles formed as set No. 180103 returned north from Ilford to Wembley on April 20, hauled by Class 37 No. 37884 where
No. 37611 was added and the pair took the unit on to Crofton. It is reported on April 3 TfW introduced the first batterydiesel hybrid trains on the Borderlands Line. The first working was on the 2F50/07.32 departure from Wrexham Central to Bidston formed with unit No. 230010. The five TfW sets, numbered 230006 to 230010, are the first Class 230 variants to have open gangways, and the internal specification is of higher quality than the similar trains supplied for West Midlands Trains and South Western Railway’s Island Line.
The decision to purchase outright the five three-car multiple-units from Vivarail prior to the supplier’s collapse proved to be a wise one, as it ensured that they could still enter service.
Observation of the 11.25 Cardiff to Holyhead at Prestatyn in the last week of April was not encouraging. On April 24 it started at Chester, comprising Class 153 Nos. 153303+153921.
The following day it ran throughout, with nothing better than Class 150 No. 150281. On April 26 it was due to start from Chester again, but that was cancelled after a person was sadly hit by an earlier train. On April 27, there was success at last, with Class 67 No. 67012 on Mk.4 stock as booked. Movements of the Class 730 units continue apace with No. 730024 being moved from Derby to Oxley on April 13, being hauled by ROG Class 37 No. 37608 Andromeda. On
April 28, ROG Class 37 No. 37884 moved No. 730010 from Oxley to Loughborough, returning with No. 730001 to Oxley. New No. 730035 was delivered from Derby to Oxley by Class 37
No. 37884 on May 12, followed by No. 730036 behind
No. 37510 on May 18. On Saturday, April 8, Class 68 No. 68010 Oxford Flyer was seen passing through South Ruislip at the head of the 1R44/16.00 departure from London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street. On the same day Wembley Light Maintenance Depot was viewed from a passing train. Nos. 68011 and 68014 were both noted, the latter now in its blue and green livery commemorating that it is now fuelled by recycled vegetable oil. Wembley Light Maintenance Depot was again viewed from passing trains on Sunday, April 30. In the morning Nos. 68010, 68014 in blue/green livery and 68015 were all noted. Later in the day Nos. 68014 and 68015 were still present but No. 68010 had left.
With the Class 180 expected to be withdrawn by East Midlands Railway, more interest is attached to their workings. On Friday, April 14, No. 180113 was noted heading north from Derby station working the 1F56/18.18 to Sheffield. This train should have originated at St Pancras International, but according to Realtime Trains ‘was cancelled between St Pancras International and Derby due to a planning error.’
The Gospel Oak to Barking
Line (GOBLIN) was closed for engineering work on Saturday, April 1, except for a half-hourly shuttle between Woodgrange Park and Barking Riverside. These trains terminated by platform 1 at Woodgrange Park, normally used for northbound trains, and returned to the south from the same platform, using the crossover to the south of the station to access the down line.
To sample this working a journey was made as far as Barking on the 2J57/13.45 from Woodgrange Park to Barking Riverside formed of Class 710 No. 710262.
Govia Thameslink Railway has issued a prior information notice seeking between 21 and 30 four-car 25 kV 50 Hz
160 km/h through-gangwayed EMUs with air-conditioning and toilets for use on existing and/ or additional Great Northern services from May 2024. This raises speculation that this could be the first step towards the return to service of the currently off-lease Akiem owned Class
379 Electrostars.
On Easter Sunday, April 9, South Eastern services were impacted by engineering works. The Hastings service was unable to start from Charing Cross station, which was closed, and instead used Cannon Street. From Tunbridge Wells, bus substitutes ran in place of trains. With the line through Hither Green closed, trains had to take an unusual route through Beckenham Junction.
A journey was made by a correspondent as far as Orpington on the 1Y29/14.05 from London Cannon Street to Tunbridge Wells formed of Nos. 375804+375603. Having left London Bridge, the service ran on the down North Kent past St Johns and platform 2 at Lewisham. From Lewisham the train continued on the down
Mid Kent through Catford Bridge before taking the seldom used curve from New Beckenham to Beckenham Junction. After Shortlands it continued on the down Chatham fast to Bickley Junction where it took the curve south of Chislehurst to join the down fast at Petts Wood Junction, which was used to Orpington.
The return journey to London Bridge was made on the 1Y81/14.40 from Tunbridge Wells to London Cannon
Street, formed of Nos. 465182+ 465179. This again ran through Beckenham Junction, New Beckenham and Lewisham.
Class 377/7 No. 377701 was noted passing Gatwick Airport on May 10, working a London Victoria to Eastbourne service instead of the booked Class 377/4. It reportedly remained on that diagram working for the rest of the day.
Engineering works on Saturday, April 8, resulted in several trains being retimed. A journey was made by a correspondent as far as Richmond on the 2U53/17.33 departure from London Waterloo to Hounslow formed of Nos. 450044+450017. Having called at platform 6 at Clapham Junction, the service used the crossover to the west of the station to run on the down fast and stopped at platform 3 at Putney. Approaching Barnes, the crossover was used to take the train back to the down slow so that the 2O51/17.30 from London Waterloo to London Waterloo via the Kingston
Loop, and which was stood by platform 3, could be passed. His train arrived at Richmond four minutes late.
The new Class 701 units continue to be placed in store away from SWR with the following moves being reported: No. 701025 being taken by GBRf Class 47 No. 47749 from Eastleigh to Long Marston on April 13, followed by No. 701051 on the same diagram also with No. 47749 on April 19, and No. 701034 the next day. The Class 47 then took No. 701050 on April 27 and
No. 701052 on April 28.
A change on May 3 had
No. 47727 convey No. 701027 to Long Marston and No. 701018 the next day, with the Class 47 then taking No. 701010 from Eastleigh to Worksop on May 11 and No. 701013 on May 16.
On Wednesday, April 19, Nos. 450023+450030, both in South Western Railway’s new livery, were seen at Barnes forming the 2R41/15.15 from London Waterloo to London Waterloo, via Richmond and Hounslow. Sadly, two carriages of
No. 450030 had been the victims of a graffiti attack.
‘Green’ fuels have reportedly been blamed for almost cutting Salisbury and Exeter off from rail services to London Waterloo. South Western Railway has been forced to run a reduced timetable after biofuels used to cut carbon emissions clogged up train engines’ fuel filters in its fleet of Class 159 units. Many diesel-powered trains have been run on biofuels as part of a push towards net zero in recent years.
Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable fuel manufactured domestically from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease. However, it is understood that engines were blocked by algae, which forms ‘organic growths’ in train fuel tanks. The algae forms if biofuel sits unused for a period of time and is not treated with chemical additives.
Charter Trains
The British Pullmans made an appearance on the Midland Main Line on April 12, when Royal Class 67 No. 67005 Queen’s Messenger+Pullman Class 67
No. 67024 top-and-tailed the 1E02/08.46 London Victoria to Chesterfield and 1O07/17.11 return, for a visit to Chatsworth House.
Railway Touring Company’s ‘The
Great Britain XV’ suffered from late running through Prestatyn. On day 2, April 16, the leg was Bristol to Llandudno Junction via Holyhead. The shadowing diesel, Class 47 No. 47802, passed at 16.39 (36 late), and the train itself with ‘Jubilee’ No. 45596 Bahamas passed at 16.47 (29 late). Day 3 was a rest day, resuming on day 4, April 18, to run from Llandudno Junction to Edinburgh. The same locos were involved, No. 45596 passing Prestatyn with the tour at 10.31 (22 late), and No. 47802 shadowing at 10.36, on time. When seen passing through Lancaster at 13.12, this service (1Z20) was then followed four minutes later by WCR’s maroon Class 47 No. 47802 which had run light from Llandudno Junction (0Z20/10.05) which followed to Carlisle. At Carnforth, ‘Royal Scot’ No. 46115 Scots Guardsman took over for the run to Edinburgh but failed at Lockerbie with a hot-box on the tender. After a 145 minute delay, the Class 47 took the service through to Edinburgh. The next report of the tour was on April 21 when it arrived at Blackpool with the Lancashire leg at 19.26 on Thursday, April 21, the ECS (5Z35) along with ‘Jubilee’ No. 45690 Leander was pulled back to Preston by WCR Class 37 No. 37516. From Preston No. 45690 pulled the ECS with No. 37516 on the rear to Carnforth. On the following day, the tour’s coaching stock was moved from Carnforth (5Z36/06.50) to Preston doubleheaded by Nos. 45690 + 45699 Galatea (running as No. 45562 Alberta) with WCR Class 47 No. 47802 on the rear. From Preston 5Z36 was pulled to Blackpool by the Class 47 with the two steam locos on the rear. However, later that day, No. 45699 returned to Carnforth (5Z55) from Preston dep 11.06. After being held in Barton and then Outbeck Loops, No. 45699 was seen passing very slowly through Lancaster at 13.44 running tender-first pulling a single support coach. The annual Victorian weekend at Llandudno was catered for by specials to the resort on April 29. ‘The Llandudno Victorian Statesman’, from Didcot Parkway, passed Prestatyn at 11.34 behind Class 47 Nos. D1924 (47810) and 47593, followed at 12.15 by Vintage Trains’‘North Wales Coast Express’ from Birmingham New Street behind Class 47 No. 47773, trailed by WR ‘Castle’ No. 7029 Clun Castle. The steam loco had led to Chester, where the whole train was turned on the triangle just west of the station. This enabled Clun Castle to lead on the return journey. Having arrived in Carlisle at 14.24 on Saturday, May 6, after a 298-mile journey via Settle from Cardiff (1Z34/06.15) LSL’s Class 47s Nos. 47593+D1935 (47805) later set off at 16.15 (1Z35) top-and-tailing a rake of Pullman liveried coaches on a 332-mile journey back to Cardiff. This returning journey ran initially along the Cumbrian coast line via Whitehaven to Carnforth then headed south via Crewe and Hereford to arrive back in Cardiff at 23.42. On Tuesday, April 4, the 6Y55 from Angerstein Wharf to Woking Down Yard was seen approaching Brentford powered by Class 66 No. 66005 Maritime Intermodal One, in Maritime blue livery, but also carrying a large DB logo, which looked somewhat out of place. One of the few freights running on Good Friday, April 7, the 6X11 from Toton North Yard to Dollands Moor Sidings carrying new Toyotas for export, was seen between Barnes and Putney behind DB red-liveried Class 66 No. 66105. A visit to London Victoria on Good Friday, April 7 found that Pullman train 1Y41 from Gillingham had just arrived at platform 2 top-and-tailed by Class 67 Nos. 67005 Queen’s Messenger and 67024, in Pullman livery. Reports of the Cardiff TidalSunderland-Cardiff Tidal scrap trains, all hauled by Class 66s, included No. 66066 on April 13, followed on April 27 when No. 66089 ran back as far as Tees Yard where No. 66088 came on to return the loaded rake to Cardiff. When observed on May 4, No. 66161 worked throughout. A variation on May 16 found No. 66119 taking the empties from Cardiff to Tees Yard where No. 66075 took over through to Sunderland and back to Cardiff. The following movement was observed on April 18 when Class 66 No. 66161 still in EWS colours, worked the 6K27/14.43 Carlisle New Yard to Crewe Basford Hall departmental, passing Greenholme at 15.40. Various moves of Class 325 units have been reported including No. 325001 being towed from Crewe ETD to Marcroft, Stoke by Class 67 No. 67008 on April 25. The same Class 67 was in use again on April 29 to move No. 325004 from Crewe ETD to Toton for tyre turning. Completed by May 2, the Class 67 brought No. 325003 to Toton, then taking No. 325004 back to Crewe. A visitor to Reading on April 26, saw Class 66 No. 66148 Maritime Intermodal Seven work through Platform 15 with the 4V39/13.30 Didcot T.C.-Morris Cowley Oxford with a consist of covered car-flats having to work a circuitous route via South Ruislip, Gerrards Cross and High Wycombe onto the Chiltern Railways route to Oxford, rather than via the normal short haul but now temporarily closed direct Didcot-Oxford route over the Nuneham Viaduct. Class 67 No. 67007 in its Queen Elizabeth 2 Platinum Jubilee purple livery, besides working 1Z90 King’s Cross to Edinburgh tour on May 1, had worked for a couple of weeks either side of that on 0Z33/0Z34 diagram from Peterborough to Ipswich, via the North London line, on route-learner operations. The one on April 27 was aborted at Stratford (London) because of major signalling issues caused by vandals removing cables at Harold Wood, an issue that caused widespread delays on Greater Anglia services during the morning and early afternoon.
Class 66 No. 66056 worked the Neasden to Newhaven on May 10, but failed near Lewes. Class 37 No 37254 came to the rescue as it was in the area on a route familiarisation trip.
The Class 37 assisted to Newhaven where it arrived 216 minutes late. The Class 37 was detached at Newhaven after No. 66056 got some strength back and continued under its own power.
Freightliner
Class 90 Nos. 90045+90047 double-headed a set of empty container flats on Tuesday, April 25, from Crewe on the 4S52/07.51 to Mossend. On Tuesday, April 25, Class 66 No. 66414, in Powerhaul livery, was seen, from Acton Main Line station, shunting some Foster Yeoman wagons in the adjacent yard. The following movements were observed on April 18: Class 88 No. 88005 Minerva worked the 4S43/06.25 Daventry DRS (Tesco) to Mossend Euroterminal seen passing Plumpton Head at 10.16; Class 66 No. 66425 Nigel J Kirchstein 1957-2021 worked the 4M27/05.40 Mossend Down Yard to Daventry (diverted via Dumfries), observed passing Kitchen Hill south of Plumpton Head at 11.11; a further working saw Class 68 No. 68006 Pride of the North on the 6K06/11.40 Shap Summit Quarry to Crewe Basford Hall aggregates, passing Greenholme north of Tebay at 12.42; Class 66 No. 66031 worked the 6K05/12.32 Carlisle New Yard to Crewe Basford Hall departmental, also passing Greenholme at 13.43; and finally, also passing Greenholme was Class 66 No. 66431 working the 4S44/11.57 Daventry to Mossend Down Yard intermodal at 16.29. Class 68s Nos. 68005 Defiant+68016 Fearless pulled a single flask container on Thursday, April 20, from Sellafield on the 6K74/16.42 to Crewe via Carlisle. Further flask workings included Class 68 Nos. 68017 Hornet and 68002 Intrepid on a 6C53 Crewe Coal sidings to Sellafield with one PFA and three FNA-Ds on April 28. On May 4, Class 68 Nos. 68018 Vigilant and 68009 Titan took all six KXA-C wagons and seven PFAs as spacers on 7X23 Sellafield to Barrow Marine Terminal, returning light engine as 0C24. Moves on May 9 included Class 68 Nos. 68003 Astute and 68004 Rapid running as 0C23 light engine from Sellafield to Barrow Marine Terminal, returning to Sellafield from Barrow M.T. as 7X24 with two loaded KXA-Cs and one empty plus spacer PFAs. On the same day, Class 68 Nos. 68016 Fearless and 68001 Evolution top and tailed the Sellafield-Heysham Power Station-Sellafield. Two days later, Nos. 68005 Defiant and 68002 Intrepid worked the 7X23 Sellafield to Barrow M.T. with three KXA-Cs, two loaded with adaptor frames, returning later to Sellafield with five loaded KXA-Cs and PFA spacers. On the same day, consecutively numbered Class 68 Nos. 68003 Astute + 68004 Rapid pulled three white FNA
flasks from Sellafield on a 6K74/16.58 to Crewe.
On Monday, May 8, the 4S44/12.05 Daventry to Mossend container service was hauled by Class 68 No. 68018 Vigilant, coupled in front of Class 88 No. 88006 Juno which had a raised pantograph.
The 6Y42 from Hoo Junction Up Yard to Eastleigh East Yard was seen approaching Brentford on Monday, April 3, behind Class 66 No. 66712 Peterborough Power Signalbox. The following day, Tuesday, April 4, No. 66712 was seen again, this time between Barnes and Putney, heading the 6Y48 from Eastleigh East Yard to Hoo Junction Up Yard. Also observed between Barnes and Putney was Class 66 No. 66789 British Rail 1948-1997, looking good in work-worn BR blue livery with large logo seen working the 6O60 from Bow Depot to Tonbridge West Yard.
On the same day, the 4Y19 from Mountfield Sidings to Southampton Western Docks was brought to a signal halt at Barnes station. The locomotive, No. 66728, had lost a nameplate in what appears to have been a sideswipe incident.
A diverted working brought interest to the Midland Main and South Leicestershire lines when ex-DRS Class 66 No. 66305 worked a trainload of IZA ferry cargowaggons conveying bottled water as the 6M45/06.43 Dollands Moor-Daventry and 6O67/16.43 return on April 7, and 6M45/06.48 Dollands Moor-Daventry and 6O69/15.50 return on April 8.
After Class 66 No. 66730 Whitemoor left Harwich PQ yard over the weekend of April 9/10 bound for Peterborough, Nos. 66782 and 66748 West Burton 50 worked over from Peterborough early morning on April 11 on the 0L41 to the Essex port, with the former taking over Intermodal 4R43 to Felixstowe because
No. 66705 Golden Jubilee had been seconded from its Intermodal overnight to move tanks from the Harwich Refinery and create 6P40 to leave for North Walsham at 04.30, while No. 66748 took over from
No. 66730 on 4Y66 Intermodal to Felixstowe at 11.03.
No. 66705 worked back to Harwich Refinery on 6A33 and arrived roughly 60 minutes early. It then worked another shift to the Norfolk depository of condensate gas on April 12 and brought the normal diagram 6A32 back the following day before heading back to Peterborough as 0E06 later that same evening.
The following week on
April 19, No. 66304 worked the mid-morning 6P41 to North Walsham but after an overnight stay there, instead of bringing the loaded consist back, possibly because of not enough condensate to load, it headed off to Peterborough on 0A34 via Norwich and Ely. It was not until April 27 that No. 66714 Cromer Lifeboat worked 0A34 from Peterborough to North Walsham via Stowmarket that the loaded tanks returned to the Harwich Refinery on the normal 6A32 before departing in the evening back to Peterborough MPD.
On Bank Holiday May 1,
No. 66701 moved from Ipswich Reception as 0P41 to stand all day in field sidings at Harwich PQ yard before an early start as 6P40 at 04.30 to North Walsham, returning with a loaded consist on the same day at 16.00. It followed it up with an empty tanks movement on May 3, with an overnight stay at North Walsham before coming back the next day and leaving for Peterborough MPD after shunting the loaded tanks into the Refinery confines.
On Thursday, April 13, the 5D69 from Derby Litchurch Lane to Leicester LIP was seen leaving from platform 3 at Derby. The train was headed by Class 50
No. 50007 Hercules purporting to be No. 50034 Furious (on one side of the loco), with Class 56 No. 56098 at the rear, and was formed of barrier vehicles ADB975974 Paschar, ADB975978 Perpetiel, 6376 and 6377.
MoD traffic reported included Class 66 No. 66704 on a Marchwood to Kineton move on April 13, followed on April 17 when No. 66712 worked a Marchwood to Southampton Docks. The same loco was used again on April 21, again on a Marchwood-Kineton move. The next reported move was on
May 4, with No. 66792 on a Kineton-Marchwood diagram followed by Class 66 No. 66730 pulled an MoD train of three containers on a 6G64/20.28 from Carlisle south to Kineton MoD depot on Wednesday,
May 10. Yet another change of power followed on May 15 with No. 66779 on another Marchwood-Kineton-Longtown move, returning to Kineton the next day.
Scrap metal trains continue on a regular basis, all in the hands of Class 66s. On April 14
No. 66713 was reported on the regular Liverpool-SwindonLiverpool diagram. On April 17 No. 66763 was reported on a Small Heath-Saltley-Liverpool move. The same loco worked a Liverpool-Swindon-Liverpool diagram on April 19. Two days later it powered a LiverpoolAttercliffe-Liverpool diagram, followed by a Liverpool to Saltley and return on April 24.
On April 26 it was out again on the Liverpool-SwindonLiverpool diagram followed by a Liverpool-Attercliffe-Liverpool diagram on April 28. On May 1, No. 66703 worked a LiverpoolSaltley-Liverpool diagram, then two days later the LiverpoolSwindon-Liverpool diagram.
BR Large Logo Blue-liveried Class 56 No. 56098 towed Caledonian Sleeper Class 92
No. 92038 south as the 0Z92/10.08 Loughborough Brush-Wembley Intercity Depot light engine move on April 14.
Weekend Intermodal traffic in Harwich PQ yard on April 15 saw Class 66 No. 66737 Lesia on 4L03 and No. 66795 on 4L28, both originating from Doncaster i-Port, arriving an hour apart, before moving out on April 17 with 4Y66and 4R43 round to Felixstowe Port. A week later on April 22 it was No. 66305 on 4L42 and No. 66769 LMA League Managers Association/ Paul Taylor Our Inspiration, again from Doncaster, leaving on April 24 with 4R43 and 4Y66 respectively.
May Bank Holiday weekend saw the arrival of Nos. 66769 (4L03) and 66732 GBRf the First Decade 1999-2009 John Smith – MD (4L28) and the following Coronation weekend brought Nos. 66769 (4L03) again and 66722 Sir Edward Watkin (4L28) for a prolonged stay and a Tuesday morning getaway round to Felixstowe port.
A further ex-DRS Class 66 made an appearance through Market Harborough on April 17 when No. 66303 worked the 6Z58 08.38 Wellingborough to Llandudno Junction.
English Electric classic traction replacing General Motors power will always bring a smile to the face, so it was very pleasing to see ED Class 73 Nos. 73213 Rhodalyn and 73109 Battle of Britain on Tuesday,
April 18, between Barnes and Putney, at the head of the
6Y48 from Eastleigh East Yard to Hoo Junction Up Yard. The train was formed of JJA Bogie Autoballaster Hoppers and JNA Bogie Open wagons, all loaded with ballast.
The electro-diesel twins were out again the following day, Wednesday, April 19, when they were seen passing Barnes station at the head of the 6Y42 from Hoo Junction Up Yard to Eastleigh East Yard. The train was formed of a pair of FEA Bogie Container Flats, followed by a YEA ‘Perch/Porpoise’ Bogie Long-Welded Rail Carrier and a string of JZA Bogie LongWelded Rail Wagons, all of which were empty.
A new traffic flow on April 20 saw Class 66 No. 66755 move a steel train from Trostre to Dawsons, Middlesbrough.
Freight traffic passing Thankerton recommenced on April 24 (other than ballasts in connection with the Carstairs job) when observed the 6L35/17.34 Mossend Down Yard to Dagenham (empty car train) in the hands of No. 66725.
After a break of several months, the 4S57/10.58 Hams Hall to Mossend returned on Monday, April 24 with Class 66 No. 66753 pulling an almost fully loaded container train. However, on the following day the same 4S57 working, pulled by the same GBRf Class 66, did not convey a single container.
Class 60 No. 60014 was moved by road from Toton to EMD Longport on April 26 for assessment with a view to a possible re-engineering.
On Saturday, May 6, the 6K22/15.20 Carlisle New Yard to Abington (for the Carstairs work area) was observed passing Thankerton with Class 66
No. 66745 providing the motive power.
Class 66 Nos. 66711+66774 ran as a light engine duo on Sunday, May 7, from Carlisle (6X69/19.41) to Bescot.
Class 66s continue to be seen at Newhaven. No. 66778 Cambois Depot 25 years was noted on May 10 and 11. Also present on May 11 was No 66784 Keighley & Worth Valley Railway 50th anniversary 1968-2018. Observed working the Carlisle to Chirk log train on April 17, were Class 56 Nos. 56049+56113, usually diagrammed for Class 70 haulage. The same pair were again on the diagram the next day being observed passing Greenholme north of Tebay. Also working through Carlisle on April 18 was Class 70 No. 70813 running light as the 0Z30/09.48 Carlisle New Yard to Rugby D.E.D.. A second Class 70, No. 70814, worked the 6K30/13.42 Carlisle New Yard to Longport Land Recovery with a train of recovered ballast. The Aberystwyth to Chirk loaded log train on April 28 was hauled by Class 97 No. 97302+Class 37 No. 37254. Colas Rail Tamper No. DR73909 Saturn was moved on Sunday, April 23 from Preston (6J72/10.33) to Carlisle. On Monday, April 24 Class 56 Nos. 56049 and 56113 were observed passing Thankerton double heading the 6S37/05.44 Carlisle New Yard to Cloburn Quarry loading point at Ravenstruther.
An unusual move on May 2 found power car No. 43272 run solo from Derby to Laira.
Colas Rail Class 66 No. 66849 Wylam Dilly pulled six Network Rail HQAF mineral wagons on Thursday, May 4, on a 6C96/16.53 from Crewe to Silecroft on the Cumbrian Coast.
Colas Rail Class 70 No. 70816 coupled in front of Class 56
No. 56113 ran as a light engine combination on Tuesday,
May 9 on a 0F55/10.49 from Carlisle to Rugby.
With no WCML passenger trains running on Friday, May 11, the 6M38/10.01 Ravenstruther to Longport train of Land Recovery mineral wagons, pulled by Class 70 No. 70806, was observed passing through Lancaster at 13.45 running 130 minutes early.
Looking smart in grey livery, Class 56 No. 56091 was seen on Tuesday, April 25, from Acton Main Line station when working train 4Z44 from Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Acton Yard.
Class 60 No. 60055, in grey livery, was noted, from a passing train, in the sidings at West Drayton on Saturday, April 29.
Rail Operations Group
ROG has announced testing of the first Class 93 tri-mode locomotive has commenced at Stadler’s test facility in Valencia. Maroon Class 47 No. 47802 plus in steam ‘Black Five’ No. 44932 double-headed an ECS rake as 5M43 from Southall to Carnforth on Monday, April 24. Although it was 107 minutes late on leaving Southall, this working was only six minutes late on arrival in Carnforth.
WCR Class 57s Nos. 57313+57314 top-and-tailed an ECS rake of Northern Belle coaches on Friday, May 5 on a 5Z79/12.52 from Carnforth to Burton Wetmore Sidings.
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (K&WVR)-based ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 No. 45212 was seen passing through Carlisle light engine, unusually without a support coach, en route from Carnforth to Fort William on May 8. The previous day it had run light tender first, from Haworth, K&WVR to the West Coast Railways depot at Carnforth.
Locomotive Services Ltd
On Friday, April 21, an empty stock train 5Z54, from Crewe Holding Sidings to King’s Cross, was noted from a passing train, stabled by the Emirates Stadium at Holloway South Junction. The train was headed by No. 90001 Royal Scot with Class 55 No. D9000 (55022) Royal Scots Grey at the rear of the train. A little later, the same train was seen by platform 3 at King’s Cross, now forming the 1Z55/13.15 to Edinburgh, with No. D9000 at the front and No. 90001 at the rear. On Friday, May 12, the only WCML scheduled passenger working from London Euston was the 1Z70/07.30 to Carlisle. This was formed of five ScotRail coaches, plus two maroon and cream Mk.1 coaches pulled by green liveried Class 55 ‘Deltic’ No. D9000 with Inter-City Swallow liveried Class 87
No. 87002 Royal Sovereign on the rear with pantograph down. This same train and loco formation returned ECS from Carlisle (5Z21/12.03) to Crewe led by the Class 87.
EMR Kingsbury
The yard has been taking Class 317 units for scrap from store at Ely. On April 19 Nos. 317884+ 317886 were delivered by
Class 37 No. 37800, followed on April 28 when the Class 37 delivered Nos. 317502+317504. Observed on Friday, April 14 was the 5Z14 from Derby R.T.C. to Derby R.T.C. via Chesterfield passing platform 3 at Derby. The train was top-and-tailed by Class 37 No. 37612 and Colas HST power car No. 43272. On Monday, April 17, Network Rail Tamper No. DR73118 ran on a 6U52/10.34 from Walsall north to Morecambe South Junction. After being turned on the triangle of tracks there, No. DR73118 headed back south (14.53) to Crewe. A visit to Liverpool Street station on Tuesday, April 25 found test train 1Q95 from Ferme Park Reception to Ripple Lane West Sorting Sidings, via Shoeburyness, at platform 6. On departure from Liverpool Street, the train formed of
Class 37 No. 37099 + Radio Survey coach No. 977868 + Overhead Line Inspection coach No. 977983 + Special vehicle
No. 5981 + Generator No. 6264 + No. 37612.
A new Rail Milling Machine Nos. DR79102+DR79103 arrived at Harwich Parkeston Quay yard on May 4 on a 6Q01 from Paddock Wood Keyland Sidings. On subsequent overnight runs it had trips down the Clacton and Felixstowe branch lines before returning for daytime servicing.
Network Rail’s Rail Grinder
No. DR79262 Chris Gibb was moved on Friday, May 5, on a 6U02/09.08 from Crewe to Carlisle High Wapping Sidings, being observed through Lancaster at 11.32.
Network Rail’s Class 950 Track Recording DMU No. 950001 was moved on Saturday, May 6, from Derby (2Q08/14.14) to Carlisle. On May 13, it hit a stag near Garelochhead where its move to Slateford was terminated and the unit placed in the sidings.
Our thanks
THE Railway Magazine’s thanks for information go to: Jonathan Allen, Paul Atkinson, Gene Collins, Mike Cooper, Michael Denholm, Kevin Driscoll, David Gurr, Barry Knock, Sean Morris, Mark Reynolds, Kev Smith, Craig Wellum and Chris West.